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A federal lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania accuses The Cheesecake Factory Inc. of participating in a fraudulent labor scheme that allegedly targeted undocumented immigrant workers and subjected them to unsafe and exploitative working conditions.
Five anonymous plaintiffs, all Mexican nationals residing in Pennsylvania, filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on June 19. The lawsuit alleges that the company’s Willow Grove location operated what it describes as a “cottage industry” of fraud and coercion designed to recruit undocumented workers, provide them with fake identification documents, and exploit them for labor under threats of retaliation and deportation.
According to the complaint, restaurant managers directed workers to individuals selling counterfeit Permanent Resident Cards and Social Security cards—transactions that allegedly took place on or near Cheesecake Factory property. The plaintiffs claim they paid up to $180 for these documents, believing they were required for employment.
The workers allege they were forced to work long hours without proper compensation, denied meal and bathroom breaks, and subjected to unsafe working conditions that led to physical injuries. One worker said he feared reporting wage violations due to threats from supervisors who allegedly warned of potential reports to immigration authorities.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include The Cheesecake Factory Inc., affiliated corporate entities, current and former supervisors, and unnamed private contractors responsible for worker safety and compliance.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, punitive, and liquidated damages for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional distress, and violations of federal and state labor and civil rights laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. They also request a court order halting the alleged unlawful practices.
The Cheesecake Factory has not publicly responded to the allegations.
